Welcome to the Baltimore Folk Music Society
The Baltimore Folk Music Society is a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to preserving and promoting folk music, dance, and tradition. BFMS sponsors regular dances, concerts, family events, and related activities year-round. Members are eligible for discounts to Society events by showing their membership card.
BFMS is a member of the Country Dance & Song Society and shares reciprocity arrangements with the Folklore Society of Greater Washington, and the Annapolis Traditional Dance Society.
NOTICE: The Wednesday Contra Dance will take a one-week break on September 3. NO Wednesday dance Sept 3. See you Sept 10!
Upcoming events:
BFMS Autumn Assembly English Ball: Evening of Saturday Sept 27th Click here for details
BFMS 50th Anniversary Celebration! Save the dates... Oct 10-12th! Click here for details
Michael Quitt memorial event - singing, pot-luck and dance Nov 1
People under 21 and full-time students dance FREE at all regular BFMS dances!
We will still be requesting payment via the BFMS website.
With the end of the public health emergency, we are not currently requiring vaccinations or masks for our events. Please be mindful of others' safety and do not attend if you are not feeling well.
Volunteers power BFMS. Want to...
...learn sound engineering and meet some of the most talented folk musicians in the country?
...greet dancers at the door or bring snacks for the break?
...use your design or social media skills to help build the contra and English dance community in Baltimore?
Reach out! president@bfms.org
Keep up with the latest BFMS events in our Facebook group.
Virtual and Live Community Events
Saturday, September 13 2025
2nd Saturday Dance
8-10:30 PM
Greg Frock calling to Terpsichore ~ Elke Baker (fiddle), Liz Donaldson (piano), and Ralph Gordon (bass)
Dance lesson: 7:30
Online payment only. Pre-payment is encouraged. http://bfms.org/secondsatpay.php
Location: The Church of the Nativity and Holy Comforter, 6112 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212
Admission is $10 BFMS members & affiliates, $15 non-members. People under 21 and students with ID: free
Potluck snacks at the break.
Monday, September 15 2025
English Country Dance
Celebrate the Ides of September with English Country Dancing
8 pm until 1030 pm.
Robin WIlson, flute/concertina; Carl Friedman, violin; and Janina O'Brien, piano, usually, will play the tunes called by Diane Schmit
Snacks are always welcome but not required!
Please register beforehand at:
http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, September 17 2025
Contra Dance
Anna Rain calls to the music of Petrichord: Bobby LaRose (keys, mandolin, bones), Colleen Holroyd (fiddle, feet), Sophie Chang (cello). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Sunday, September 21 2025 (Member Sponsored)
BALFOLK MUSIC SESSION
1- 3 p.m. at the Four Hour Day Lutherie, 4305 Harford Road, Baltimore MD 21214. Balfolk refers to traditional and contemporary folk dance from Central France, Brittany and a few other places. Dances include bourrée, mazurka, an dro, hanter dro and others. The music is interesting, rhythmic and lots of fun to play. Pretty easy, too! This will be a guided jam session. IT IS NOT A DANCE SESSION. All musicians and all instruments are
welcome. No prior experience in the genre is necessary. Music will be provided at the session. Music is also available electronically in advance. For more information, contact Mark Vidor at mbvidor@aol.com.
Monday, September 22 2025
English Country Dance
A lovely evening of pre-Assembly of English Country dancing from 8:00 to 10:30 pm
April Blum will call and Francine Krasowska, piano; Becky Ross, volin; and Mark Vidor, accordion will provide rhythm, tune and harmony.
Snacks are always welcome but not required!
Please register at: http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, September 24 2025
BFMS Song SwapThis month it's 4th Wednesday BFMS zoom song swap! 7:30! Septembert 24!
Fall!! Lst chance for a September song!!
The zoom song swap is a place for folks to come together and share songs, community, and keep the live singing tradition thriving. While we have been getting together on zoom, the 4th Tuesday BFMS songswap has become transcontinental and international with participants from west, farther west, and north and northwest across the border. You can drop in on the zoom and meet (and hear / sing with) some nice folks we 're not likely to meet in person!
https://yorku.zoom.us/j/99950379772
Wednesday, September 24 2025
Contra Dance
Carl Levine calls to the music of Contra Rebels: Todd Clewell (fiddle), Barb Schmid (fiddle), Henry Koretzky (guitar). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
Saturday, September 27 2025
BFMS Autumn Assembly English Ball
We invite you to a delightful evening of elegant dancing and exuberant music – it’s the BFMS Autumn Assembly English Ball, to be held on Saturday, September 27 from 6:30 to 10 pm.
Featuring the wonderful music of Trio Con Brio – Jonathan Jensen on piano (and pennywhistle and ocarina), Elke Baker on violin, and Paul Oorts on mandolin, banjo(!), concertina and more.
Church of the Redeemer, 5603 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21210.
Details and ticket purchase at https://www.bfms.org/autumn-assembly.php
Monday, September 29 2025
English Country Dance
A Farewell-to-Tom-Wright English Country Dance.
Tom is moving back to Michigan in October but wants to play in Baltimore again before leaving.
His sister Susan Brandt, flute; Jonathan Jensen, piano; and Caller Emily Aubrey will collaborate with Tom's mandolin!
Snacks are always welcome but not required!
Please register beforehand:
http://bfms.org/englishcountrypay.php
Wednesday, October 01 2025
Contra Dance
Melissa Chatham calls to the music of Cojiro: Mark Price (guitar), Jess Newman (fiddle), Ben Graubart (mandolin). Intro lesson at 7:30pm. Dance starts at 8pm at Lovely Lane Church. Online payment only: https://bfms.org/contradancepay.php
See our Events page for a complete listing of events and details.
Visit the BFMS Folk Events page for a list of some of the other folk events in the area.
www.bfms.org/folkeventsAttention BFMS Members
- Recently moved or changed your email address? Wondering why you aren't getting anything from BFMS? Please contact BFMS Membership (membership @ bfms.org) and update your contact information.
- If you have recently joined BFMS or renewed your membership and did not get anything in the mail (such as a membership Card) please contact the Membership Chair at membership @ bfms.org. Thank you.
How to Contact Us
By E-mail - use our Contact page.
We can also be reached by conventional mail at
Baltimore Folk Music Society, P.O. Box 65144, Baltimore, MD 21209.
Call the Baltimore Folk Music Society's Music & Dance Hotline! (888) 646-BFMS or (888)646-2367
or email president@bfms.org.
Membership expired? Renew on-line! See the Membership page for details.
